“Companies making widely-used weedkiller and desiccant chemical products such as Roundup and Gramoxone have found themselves facing thousands of lawsuits from people claiming serious damages. While Roundup’s glyphosate component has been alleged to have caused non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, makers of Gramoxone are seeing paraquat lawsuits mounting as lawyers continue to file lawsuits across the country.”
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent these incidents by using protective gear. In this article, we will discuss the gear you need when spraying crops to reduce your risk of accidental chemical exposure.
Let’s take a look at this gear.
1. Chemical-resistant suits
For mildly hazardous (category III – Warning) and moderately non-toxic (category IV – Warning) chemicals, regular work gear of long pants with a long-sleeved shirt, boots, and socks are allowed. Most applicators choose work clothes and cotton suits that fulfill the criteria of formal workwear and give equivalent safety.
Wear a fresh, dry protective suit that covers your full body from wrist to toes when applying moderately dangerous (category II – Warning) and extremely dangerous (category I – Danger or Danger-Poison) substances. When wearing gloves, the cuffs must be large enough to reach the hands, and pockets and other apertures must be reduced to a minimum.
Woven textiles act as a barrier of material and airflow between the user and the chemical; however, the efficiency of the barricade depends on this fabric’s unique qualities. Cotton twill is an intricately knit fabric that protects against pesticides stronger than other woven textiles.
2. Apron
You will want an apron that is thick and durable. Wear it over your clothes to protect them from the chemicals you spray. It should be large enough not to get in the way of any equipment or machinery you need to use while working with the crop sprayer, too.
3. Boots
You will want to wear enclosed rubber boots that extend slightly above your ankles. The boots should come with an attached strap or elastic band around the top, which you can tighten over your legs for a snug fit. This prevents any chemicals from getting inside of them if they are splashed, and it also keeps dirt out while working in dusty conditions.
4. Goggles or Face Shield
Goggles are the first line of defense against accidental chemical exposure. Goggles should be used to protect your eyes from liquid chemicals or splashes, but they’re not meant to prevent breathing in large quantities of dust and powders. To stay safe while spraying crops, you need a respirator too. By wearing goggles over the top of your face shield, you can cut down on fogging with the most heated face shields.
- Gloves
Gloves are essential gear to prevent exposure to chemicals while spraying crops. Choose gloves that are made of a durable material and fit snugly. Ensure the gloves have long cuffs that can be tucked into your sleeves to keep the chemicals from coming into contact with your skin.
The Bottom Line
From the article, it’s clear that there is a lot of litigation right now concerning agricultural chemicals. The good news is you can reduce your risk by following some simple safety measures like wearing protective gear and using proper spraying techniques. Thus, you should make sure to wear the above gear to prevent accidental chemical exposure when spraying crops.